SIMI MAYOR'S LUNG COLLAPSES FOR THIRD TIME DAVIS SCHEDULED FOR SURGERY.

Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - Simi Valley Mayor Bill Davis was scheduled to undergo surgery late Monday in his doctors' ongoing efforts to repair a collapsed lung that has landed him in the hospital three times in the last two weeks.

City officials said Davis' doctors had initially tried to fix the problem with a nonsurgical procedure when his lung collapsed Jan. 30 and Feb. 6.

But after less than a day at home from his most recent hospital stay, Davis' lung collapsed again, leaving doctors no choice but to correct it with a more invasive surgery.

City Manager Mike Sedell said the 72-year-old politician was doing well, but it was unclear how long he would have to stay at Simi Valley Hospital.

``He's frustrated that he is not healing quicker, but he's in good spirits and realizes this is the way he has to get it fixed,'' Sedell said. ``This is a routine operation as they go, but like any surgery, it's obviously not something you want to go through.''

When reached briefly in his room in the medical surgery unit, Davis said he was ``feeling good.''

Davis has undergone two procedures to inflate the lung, and the repair had him on the road to recovery both times. He was released within a few days each time.

But he was admitted again Saturday when he rolled over in bed and felt a pain that had become familiar.

Sedell said that Davis has been missed on the many committees and boards on which he sits, including the Ventura County Transportation Commission and as recently re-elected chairman of the Metrolink board.

But fellow members of the City Council and other agencies have pitched in when they can.

``Everyone wishes him well,'' Sedell said.